The killing of a young medical doctor has reignited outrage in Parliament, with lawmakers calling for stronger protection for scarce medical professionals and tougher penalties for those convicted of murdering highly skilled workers.
NEWS | Parliament | Crime & Justice | Edwin Mauluka
The Malawi government says it will consider providing personal security to medical doctors following a string of killings that has shocked the nation and fuelled calls for tougher punishment for those who murder highly trained professionals.
Minister of Defence Feston Kaupa made the commitment in the National Assembly on Friday while responding, on behalf of Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito, to questions on his ministerial statement about the murder of a medical doctor at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.
The latest killing of 28-year old medical doctor Atughanile Chomo follows the murder of another doctor, Victoria Bobe, at her home in November 2025. Seven suspects are currently standing trial in the High Court. Her death came weeks after the suspected murder of Patrick Dyson, a nurse at Rev. John Chilembwe Hospital, in October 2025.
Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola Banda said the killings were particularly alarming in a country already grappling with a severe shortage of doctors.
“Doctors are very important in this country. Why are they becoming an endangered species? Since October 2025, we have lost three health workers,” Chithyola said, urging the government to provide security for medical personnel.
Kaupa acknowledged the concern but said any decision would be guided by police investigations.
“When we provide national security, we are required to protect every citizen,” he said. “However, considering that this is becoming a special case, and depending on the outcome of police investigations, the findings will inform the type and level of security that may be required for doctors and other specialised personnel.”
The debate intensified when Zomba Malosa MP Grace Kwelepeta urged Parliament to enact legislation imposing harsher penalties on people convicted of killing professionals in critical sectors such as medicine, arguing that such offenders should not qualify for presidential pardons.
“It takes almost seven years to train a doctor,” Kwelepeta said. “This young doctor had only started her career in January. We need very stiff penalties for people who kill our experts. We cannot afford to lose highly trained professionals so senselessly.”
Earlier, Kaupa warned that there would be “no hiding place” for perpetrators of violent crime, saying the government remained committed to protecting every citizen and bringing criminals to justice.
“Our security agencies will continue pursuing offenders relentlessly until they are brought before the law,” he said.
He also appealed to the public to cooperate with police by providing information that could help prevent crime and apprehend suspects, describing community participation as one of the strongest pillars of effective policing.
The latest victim, Dr Chomo, was found dead at her home in Mount Pleasant, Blantyre, on July 7. Two days later, the Malawi Police Service announced the arrest of 25-year-old Macmillan Mvevula in connection with the murder.
Deputy National Public Relations Officer Alfred Chimthere said the suspect was arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives from the Blantyre Criminal Investigations Department.
Police said they recovered a Redmi mobile phone believed to belong to the deceased and collected forensic evidence to support the investigation.
Preliminary findings indicate that the doctor was attacked inside her home, restrained and murdered.
Kaupa described the swift arrest as evidence of the Malawi Police Service’s professionalism and dedication.
He said the suspect remains in lawful custody and will appear in court to answer the charges.
“The suspect remains entitled to all constitutional guarantees of due process, and government will allow the courts to determine the matter based on the evidence presented,” Kaupa said.
He added that the Ministry of Homeland Security would continue strengthening forensic investigations, intelligence gathering and community policing to improve public safety.
Mwanza Central MP Felix Njawala questioned whether the government had assigned experienced prosecutors to ensure those accused of murdering health workers are successfully prosecuted. He also sought an update on investigations into reports that one of the suspects in Bobe’s murder was serving a 14-year prison sentence at the time of the alleged offence.
Kaupa said police had deployed prosecutors with the necessary expertise to handle the cases and ensure justice is delivered without unnecessary delays.
On the Bobe case, he said investigations remain active.
“The Malawi Police Service is taking this matter very seriously so that everyone responsible for these heinous crimes is brought before the courts and dealt with according to the law,” he said.
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